A migrant man was found not guilty of ‘gross breaches of crime’ for spending a quarter of a million Swedish Kronor (SEK) which he received as incorrect welfare benefits from Swedish taxpayers.

By – Brünnhilde

The reason for the court’s decision is that the accused may not have understood what he did was wrong because he needed an interpreter.

This spring, the defendant was arrested for several cases of ‘gross crimes’ (essentially welfare fraud), the news paper of Östra Småland reports.

For over a year, the defendant, who was over 40 years old Muslim , received nearly 240,000 SEK in incorrect welfare benefits.

The defendant fraudulently collected several types of welfare benefits, which he was not eligible for. This included benefits such as parental allowance and maintenance support. He was not entitled to collect the money of those benefits because his children had moved abroad.

The defendant did not inform the authorities of the change in circumstances. Instead, he proceeded to withdraw the funds provided by the ineligible benefits.

This eventually led to a criminal investigation and criminal prosecution.

Because the defendant sometimes needed an interpreter when he applied for welfare benefits, The Kalmar District court has ruled a not guilty verdict. Their reasoning is the court believes that it is possible the defendant did not know what rules were applicable for welfare benefits.